Method and apparatus for filling and sealing containers

ABSTRACT

An apparatus and method for charging an aerosol container with propellant through an open end thereof beneath the container closure member. The propellant filling head includes a closure applying assembly for sealing the closure member to the container after the propellant filling operation.

United States Patent Riesenberg et al. Jan. 8, 1974 [5 METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR FILLING 2,958,170 11/1960 Mayer 53/88 x AND SEALING CONTAINERS 3,545,170 12/1970 Leonard 53/109 X 3,440,797 4/1969 Spielmann 53/88 X [75] Inventors: James H. Rie'senberg, Amherst; v I

Joseph M. Rait, Buffalo, both of Primary Examiner--Travis S. McGehee [73] Assignee: Pelorex Corporation, Buffalo, NY. Attorney-"Conrad Christel et a].

[22] Filed: Feb. 7, 1972 [21] Appl. No.: 223,842

[57] ABSTRACT [52] U.S. Cl 53/7, 53/22 R, 53/88,

' 5 3/109, 53 /1 12 R An apparatus and method for charging an aerosol con- [51] Int. Cl B65b 31/02 n r h pr pellan hrough an open end thereof be- [58] Field of Search 53/7, 22 R, 88, 109, th h container losure member. The propellant 53/112 R filling head includes a closure applying assembly for A sealing the closure member to the container after the [5 6] References Cited propellant filling operation;

UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,963,834 12/1960 Stanley et a1. 53/88 X 20 Claims, 23 Drawing Figures PATENTEU 8 sum 2 or PATENTEB JAN 81974 snafu nr 9 om u 3 u w E m L W38 w o E W M in L .5- 2 D n 5 A N a P u E N W S 3 O O MIF D a w e P u A w M w m V 6" a O m.

D R m p R m m 2 S 5 5 8 8N m E M R w W T G u D E N o P R u A 0 c m m m M E m m w A c v H H m 0.

PMENTEM 31974 3, 783 576 SHEET 8 0F 9 PATENTED JAN 74 SHEET 9 0F 9 METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR FILLING AND SEALING CONTAINERS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION ter has received its charge of propellant.

In the filling of aerosol container with product and propellant, it is the usual practice to first fill the container with the proper volume of product and then charge the container with a pressurized gaseous propellant in the liquid state. It has been the practice for many years to package aerosol products within metal containers and to accomplish the filling operation by introducing the product or concentrate into the container, then attaching the dispensing valve to the container, evacuating the air from the container and then admitting the liquid propellant, such as Freon for example, into the container through the valve while the latter is held open, and applying to the stem of the valve a suitable spray button. This procedure required many operations at various stations and involved much time to -fill the container through the restricted opening of the held open valve. I

Attempts have been made to overcome the above shortcomings by admitting the product into the top end of an open container after'which a closure member having a discharge valve and attached spray button thereon is loosely placed on the open end of the container. The container is then inserted in a machine where it is tightly held in place, and mechanical means are used to lift the closure member from the container top to permit the propellant to be introduced into the open end of the container. After the container is filled with the proper quantity of propellant, the top closure member is immediately crimped to the container to prevent the escape of the product and propellant from the container. While these attempts have appreciably reduced the time required to charge the container with propellant, thereby increasing production, they still possess certain deficiencies. Generally, the upper end of the container is somewhat reduced in diameter to form a neck for convenience in handling and to facilitate the attachment of the closure top so that the propellant is still introduced into the container through a restricted opening. Also, complex and expensive crimping dies having many movable parts and forming tools must beutilized to crimp the top closure member onto the container in a gas tight sealing relation. Moreover, after the top closure is crimped onto the container upon completion of the propellant filling operation, a certain amount of propellant remains within the filling head passages and centering bellapparatus and is either dissipated into the atmosphere resulting in wastage of the costly propellant or is reclaimed by the use of complex and expensive refrigeration systems and equipmentattached to the filling heads.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A primary object of this invention is to obviate the above disadvantages by providing an improved apparatus for charging an aerosol container with propellant through an open end of the container and mechanically locking a closure member to the containerwith a snap fit in a fluid tight relation therewith to close such open end after the propellant filling operation.

Another object of this invention is to provide the foregoing apparatus with a novel propellant filling head assembly whereby substantially all the propellant metered is injected into the container.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide the foregoing apparatus with novel closure applying means incorporated in the propellant filling head to seal the closure member to the container with a snap-fit to form a mechanical lock therebetween after charging the latter with propellant.

The foregoing and other objects, advantages and characterizing features of the present invention will become clearly apparent from the ensuing detailed description of an illustrative embodiment thereof, taken together with the accompanying drawings wherein like reference characters denote like parts throughout the various views.

' BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of a container filling and sealing apparatus, constructed in accordance with this invention;

FIG. 2 is a front elevational view, on an enlarged scale and partly in section, showing the propellant filling and closure applying head assembly incorporated in the apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view, on an enlarged scale, of the charging cylinder incorporated in the apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view, on an enlarged scale, of the propellant filling and closure applying head assembly of FIG. 2;

' FIG. 5 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view, on an enlarged scale, of the charging cylinder of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a side elevational view, partly in section, of a typical aerosol container adapted to be pressurized and sealed by the apparatus of this invention, the container being shown in an inverted position;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary, vertical sectional view, on an enlarged scale, of a bottom closure member for the container shown in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view, on an enlarged scale, of the open bottom end of the container shown in FIG. 6;

- FIG. 9 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view, on an enlarged scale, showing the bottom closure member secured to the bottom end of the container;

FIG. 10 is anoperational chart showing the various operations of the apparatus of FIG. 1 in a timed relation through 360 rotation of the cam shaft;

. FIG. 11 is a schematic illustration of the pneumatic, vacuum and propellant system's incorporated in the apparatus of this invention;

FIG. 12 is a schematic illustration of an electric control circuit for use with the apparatus of this invention;

FIG. 13 is a fragmentary front elevational view, partly in section, showing one position of the propellant filling and closure applying head assembly relative to an inverted container;

FIG. 14 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view, partly in elevation, showing another position of the propellant filling and closure applying head assembly relative to the inverted container;

FIG. 15 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view, on an enlarged scale, showing the position of the apparatus parts and the inverted container parts during one phase of the operation of the apparatus of this invention;

FIG. 16 is a view similar to FIG. 14 showing still another position of the propellant filling and closure applying head assembly relative to the container;

FIGS. 17, 18 and 20 are views similar to FIG. but showing the apparatus and container parts in different positions during certain phases of the operation of the apparatus;

FIG. 19 is a view similar to FIG. 14 showing yet another position of the propellant filling and closure applying head assembly relative to the container;

FIG. 21 is a fragmentary front elevational view, partly in section, showing one position of the propellant filling and closure applying head assembly relative to an upright container;

FIG. 22 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view, on an enlarged scale, showing theposition of the apparatus parts and the upright container parts during one phase of the operation of the apparatus of this invention; and v FIG. 23 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view, on an enlarged scale, showing a seal effected between an upright container and a modified form of closure member.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF AN ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENT Referring now in detail to the illustrative embodiment depicted in the accompanying drawings, there is shown a container filling and sealing apparatus constructed in accordance with this invention and generally designated 20. The apparatus has a frame 21 supported on suitable pedestals 22. A worktable 23' is welded or otherwise fixedly secured to frame 21 and a pair of vertically spaced shelves 24 and 25 are rigidly secured to frame 21 below worktable 23. A container holder, generally designated 26, is mounted on worktable 23 with the upper portion thereof substantially flush with worktable 23 and the body portion thereof depending downwardly below worktable 23. Holder 26 is adapted to receive a container C (FIG. 6) in either an upright or an inverted position so that the latter can be filled with aerosol propellant through the top or the bottom of the container, as desired, as will hereinafter be more fully described.

A plurality of solenoid operated, directional control valves 27-33 are mounted on shelf 24 and are operative to control the flow of fluid pressure to various fluid pressure actuators as will hereinafter be described in detail. An electric motor 35, together with a suitable drive means, is mounted on shelf 25 for driving a cam shaft 36 having a plurality of cams secured thereon for actuating a plurality of limit switches LSl-LS4 (only one of which is shown in FIG. 1). Details of such drive arrangement and the functions of switches LSl-LS4 will be described below in conjunction with the diagrammatic showing of the electric system incorporated in the present invention.

Mounted on frame 21 above worktable 23 is a propellant filling and closure applying head assembly, generally designated 41, incorporating a filling head 42 and a closure applying ram tool 43 (FIG. 4). Also mounted on frame 21 is a propellant charging cylinder 44, a control panel 45 and a series of pressure regulators 46, 47 and 48 and gauges 49, 50 and 51 for the pneumatic system, the vacuum system and the propellant system, respectively.

As best shown in FIG. 2, holder 26 comprises an annular body 53 having a reduced diameter portion 54 at the upper end thereof disposed in a circular opening 55 in worktable 23. A fluid pressure cylinder 56 is disposed beneath the lower end of body 53 and is secured thereto by means of elongated studs 57 threaded into suitable tapped openings provided in worktable 23. A reciprocating cup-shaped member 58 is received within body 53 and is separated therefrom by an annular bearing sleeve 59. An insert 60 having a threaded stem 62 is secured to member 58 and is provided with a cavity 63 for receiving one end of aerosol container C. A recess 64 is provided in insert 60 to accommodate the projecting head of container C when disposed in holder 26 in an inverted position. It should be understood that a variety of inserts can be. placed in member 58 to accommodate a wide range of sizes and configurations of containers C.

Cylinder 56 is provided with the usual piston (not shown) having a piston rod 65 terminating in a T- shaped formation 66 received in a complementary slot in member 58. Thus, extension and retraction of piston rod 65 is transmitted to holder member 58 by means of the T-shaped connection. The piston in cylinder 56 is continually subjected to either low or high fluid pressure for a purpose which will hereinafter become apparent.

Filling head assembly 42 (FIGS. 2 and 4) comprises an upper housing 67 comprised of two members 68 and 69 connected to each other and to'a L-shaped plate 70 by any suitable means, such as bolts (not shown), for example. Plate 70 is welded or otherwise fixedly secured to one side of a vertically extending plate 71 (FIG; 2) having a pair of vertically spaced lugs 72 projecting from the other side thereof and suitably secured to an upright, reciprocable bar 73. A gusset plate 74 can be secured to plate 70 for added rigidity.

Bar 73 is connected at its lower end to the distal end of a piston rod 77 connected to a piston (not shown) reciprocable within lift cylinder 78 supported on bracket 79. Bracket 79 is rigidly secured, as by means of bolts 80, to a structural angle member 81 having one leg thereof welded or otherwise fixedly secured to an upstanding post 82 mounted on worktable 23. Thus, the entire propellant filling and closure applying head assembly 41 can be bodily raised and lowered to accommodate various sized containers C.

Filling head assembly 42 also includes a reciprocable tubular member 84, the upper end of which is mounted in housing 67 and the lower end projecting below housing 67. Tubular member 84 is provided with an annular enlargement forming a piston 85 located in a chamber 86 defined between members 68 and 69. A suitable O- ring seal 87 is disposed in a peripheral groove around. piston 85 for providing pressure sealing between piston 85 and housing 67. Likewise, a pair of O-rings 88 are mounted in peripheral grooves about tubular member 84 above and below piston 85 to provide pressure sealing between member 84 and housing 67. Chamber 86 is connected to a port 89 (FIG. 4) above piston 85 by a passage 90 and to a port 91 below piston 85 by a passage 92. Thus, fluid under pressure can be admitted to or exhausted from the opposite sides of piston 85 by passages 90, 92 and ports 89, 91, respectively.

The lower end of tubular member 84 is threadably secured to the upper end of a hollow piston 94 disposed in a chamber 95 defined by a lower housing cylinder or filling adaptor 96 mounted for reciprocating movement relative to piston 94. An O-ring seal 97 is disposed in a peripheral groove about piston 94 for providing pressure sealing between piston 94 and the internal walls of adaptor 96. Piston 94 has a hollow, reduced diameter stem portion 98 depending therefrom and which is provided with vertically spaced O-rings 99 disposed above and below an annular passage 100 formed in stem 98. A transverse passage 101 in stem 98 connects passage 100 to the interior of stem 98. Passage 100 also is connected to a port 102 by means of a transverse passage 103 in adaptor 96. Chamber 95 is connected to a port 104 below piston 94 by means of a passage 105.

A seal retainer 107 is threaded onto the lower end of stem 98 for securing a seal 108 in place. Seal 108 is provided with an annular tapered lip 109 for sealing engagement with the outer peripheral surface of a container closure, as will presently become apparent.

Adaptor 96 comprises a hollow body 111 enclosing piston 94 and closed at one end by a cap nut 112. The other end of adaptor 96 is provided with a centering bell 113'threadably secured to adaptor 96 for engaging and centering the open end of container C relative to filling head assembly 42. As shown best in FIG. 4, centering bell 113 is provided with an inwardly tapered flange 114 terminating in an annular edge 115 adapted to clamp an annular seal 116 against a projection 117 extending radially inwardly from the lower portion of body 111. Seal 116 is adapted to engage the outer peripheral lip portion of container C, as will be presently apparent.

A propellant injection valve means, generally designated 120 (FIG. 4), is mounted in the lower end of adaptor 96 and comprises an elongated valve housing 121 having a reduced diameter end portion 122 releasably threaded into a laterally extending tapped opening 123 provided in adaptor 96. A poppet valve 124 is mounted in housing 121 for axial, reciprocable movement relative thereto and is provided with an elongated stem 125 received in an axial bore 126 in housing 121. The rear end of bore 126 is tapped for receiving a suitable coupling connecting bore 126 to a conduit leading to charging cylinder 44. Bore 126-is counterbored to provide a chamber 127 for receiving valve 124 and which defines a shoulder 128 against which one end of a helical spring 130 abuts, the other end of spring 130 bearing against the head of valve 124 for urging the latter against an annular valve seat 131. An O-ring seal 132 is located in a peripheral groove about the head of valve 124 and a pair of spaced O-ring seals 133 are mounted about the periphery of stem 125 for providing pressure sealing between housing 121 and valve 124. A passage 134 is provided in housing 121 for venting chamber 127 on the rear side of valve 124. An elongated axial passage 135 extends through valve stem 125 and communicates with laterally extending passages 136 leading to chamber 127 on the forward or face side of valve 124. Passages 136 define a rear surface 137 against which incoming propellant pressure can act.

A central opening 138 is'provided in valve seat 131 in registry with a transverse passage 139 in the lower portion of adaptor 96. Passage 139, in turn, communicates with a passage 140 defined by the outer surface of seal retainer 107, the inner wall surface of adaptor 96 and projection 117.

Charging cylinder 44 is suitably mounted on worktable 23 and, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, comprises a pair of coaxially aligned cylinders 142 and 143 disposed in an end to end relation and provided with flanges 144 and 145 held in abutting relation by means of a collar clamp 146. An annular seal 147 is interposed between flanges 144 and 145 to provide a fluid tight seal therebetween. An insert 148 (FIG. 3) is positioned in the upper open end of cylinder 142 and has a flange 149 abutting the upper flange 150 of cylinder 142 and secured thereto by means of a collar clamp 151. An annular seal 152 is interposed between flanges 149 and 150 to provide a fluid tight seal therebetween. Insert 148 has a threaded bore 153 for receiving a threaded rod 154 having a piston 155 secured to the lower end thereof and disposed in a chamber 156 in cylinder 142. Thus, piston 155 is adjustable within cylinder 142 to change the effective length of chamber 156 and thereby determine the volume of charge received in charging cylinder 44 as will presently be described. An axial passage 157 extends through rod 154 and piston 155 for connecting chamber 156 to a source of fluid pressure.

Also mounted in cylinder 142 is a piston 159 having a displacement ram 160 projecting downwardly into a chamber 161 defined by cylinder 143. A sea] assembly 162, encircling ram 160 below piston 159, is provided for precluding leakage between chambers 156 and 161. Annular seals 163 and 164 are provided in peripheral grooves in pistons 155 and 159, respectively, for precluding leakage thereby.

A passage 166 (FIG. 5) in cylinder 143 communicates at one end with a port 167 connected to a source of fluid pressure and establishes communication with chamber 156 below piston 159. Thus, piston 159 can be raised in chamber 156 for retracting displacement ram 160 by admitting fluid pressure into port 167, passage 166 and chamber 156 against the lower side of piston 159 and can be lowered by introducing pressure via passage 157 against the upper side of piston 159. A port 168 in cylinder 143 is adapted to receive a suitable conduit tapped into the propellant pressure line as will be more fully described in connection with the diagrammatic showing of the fluid circuit system in FIG. 1 1.

A feature of the present invention is the incorporation of closure applying tool 43 in filling head assembly 42 to secure the closure to container C after the propellant filling operation. Closure applying tool 43 comprises an elongated, cylindrical body member 169 having an annular flange 170 at the upper end thereof received in a groove formed along the adjacent, abutting sides of plate 70 and member 68 of housing 67. Thus, tool 43 is mounted in housing 67 for vertical reciprocating movement therewith upon actuation of lift cylinder 78. Body member 169 is provided with a reduced diameter intermediate portion 171 and a further reduced diameter end portion 172 terminating in an annular face 173 disposed adjacent seal 108 adapted to engage the closure member and serve as an anvil when pressing the closure member into sealing engagement with container C. A seal 174 is disposed in an annular recess in piston 94 and held in place by the lower end of tubular member 84 in sealing relation to the outer peripheral surface of tool intermediate portion 171.

Seal 174 also serves to center tool 43 relative to filling head 42.

Referring now to the diagrammatic showing of the pneumatic, vacuum and propellant systems in FIG. 11, there is shown a main line air pressure supply conduit 175 connected to a suitable source (not shown) and passing through a suitable filter 176, a lubricator 177 and pressure regulator 46. Air pressure gauge 49 is tapped into conduit 175 for indicating the pressure of the air entering the pneumatic system. Conduit 175 is connected to a high pressure line 180 and a low pressure line 181 via conduits 178 and 179 and through pressure regulating valves 182 and 183, respectively, the lines 180 and 181 being connected to directional valve 27 having an outlet connected to lift cylinder 56 by means of a conduit 184. Control valve 27 of the three way, two inlet, directional type is provided with a spool valve (not shown) and the position of such spool valve is controlled by a solenoid SOL No. and a spring 186 for alternately directing air under low or high pressure to pressure cylinder 56. Suitable air pressure gauges 187 are tapped into conduits 180 and 181, respectively, for indicating the pressures present in these conduits.

A conduit 188 is tapped into main line pressure supply conduit 175 and leads to a four way, two-position directional control valve 28 having a spool valve therein, the position of which is controlled by a solenoid SOL No. 2 and a spring 190. Leading from directional valve 28 are a pair of conduits 191 and 192 connected to the upper and lower sides of lift cylinder 78 above and below the piston therein.

A conduit 194 connects main line pressure supply conduit 175 to a four way, two-position directional control valve 29 shiftable into opposite directions for admitting air pressure into either a conduit 195 connected to axial passage 57 in rod 154 or a conduit 195 connected to port 167 of charging cylinder 44. Conduits 195 and 196 admit and/or exhaust air pressure on opposite sides of piston 155. Directional valve 29 is shifted in opposite directions by a solenoid SOL No. 3 and a spring 198.

Also tapped into main line pressure supply conduit 175 is a conduit 200 leading to a three way, two'position directional control valve 30 having the usual spool valve (not shown), the position of which is controlled bya solenoid SOL No. 7 and a spring 202. The outlet of directional valve 30 is connected by a conduit 203 to one side of a piston 204 in a cylinder 205, the other side of piston 204 being spring loaded or biased by a spring 206. Piston 204 is connected to a piston rod 207 engageable by a stop member 208 mounted on one side of a single revolution clutch, designated 209, for initiating the cycle of operation of the apparatus of this invention as will be more fully described in connection with the operation of such apparatus.

A conduit 211 connects main line pressure supply conduit 175 to a three-way, two-position, directional control valve 31 having a solenoid SOL No. 6 and a spring 213 for shifting the usual spool valve (not shown) of directional valve 31 in opposite directions. Control valve 31 has an outlet connected to a conduit 214 leading to port 104 of adaptor 96 for admitting air pressure into passage 105 against piston 94 in adaptor 96.

Main line pressure supply conduit 175 leads to a four way, two-position, directional control valve 32 having a spool valve (not shown) movable into opposite directions by a solenoid SOL No. 4 and a spring 217 for directing air pressure into either a conduit 218 leading to one side of piston via port 89 and passage 90 or a conduit 219 leading to the other side of piston 85 via port 91 and passage 92. By shifting directional valve 32 in the proper direction, air pressure is introduced into cylinder housing 67 against either the upper or lower face of piston 85 to lower or raise the latter relative to housing 67.

The vacuum system comprises a vacuum line 221 connected to a suitable source of vacuum (not shown) and to a conduit 222 leading to a three way, twoposition, directional control valve 33 having a spool valve (not shown) movable in opposite directions by a solenoid SOL No. 1 and a spring 224. A conduit 225 connects valve 33 to the interior of adaptor stem 98 via port 102, passage 103, annular passage 100 and transverse passage 101. Passage 101 also communicates with the interior of the lower portion of tool 43. To this end, an axial bore extends inwardly of face 173 and defines an axial passage 226 (FIG. 4) communicating with a transverse passage 227 leading to a chamber 228 defined between tool end portion 172 and piston 94. A slight clearance is provided between the tool end portion 172 and the inner wall of stem 98 and defines an annular passage 229 communicating with transverse passage 101.

Vacuum line 221 also leads to directional control valve 31 whereby pressure can be evacuated from chamber below piston 94 in cylinder 96 when valve 31 is shifted in the proper direction to enable cylinder 96 to move vertically relative to piston 94.

The propellant system comprises a supply conduit 231 leading from a suitable source (not shown) to the inlet of a control valve 232 for controlling the flow of the propellant under pressure. The outlet of control valve 232 is connected to a conduit 233 having a ball check valve 234 therein to permit flow in one direction and prevent flow in the opposite direction. Conduit 233 is connected to a conduit 235 leading to port 168 of charging cylinder 44 for introducing propellant under pressure into chamber 161. Also, conduit 236 is connected to conduits 233 and 235 for delivering propellant under pressure into bore 126 of valve means 120.

FIGS. 6-9 illustrate a typical aerosol container C adapted to be charged with a liquid propellant and then sealed closed by the apparatus of the present invention. Container C is shown in an inverted position in FIG. 6, which is the position it is disposed in holder 26 for introducing the propellant through the bottom open end prior to the application of the bottom closure member. Container C comprises a tubular or hollow cylindrical body 240 having a top end closure member 241 secured to the top end of body 240. A suitable valve assembly 242 is mounted on closure member 241 for the purpose of dispensing the pressurized contents of the filled container. The cylindrical wall of body 240 becomes progressively thicker adjacent its bottom end and is provided with an annular bottom surface or face 243 having an annular, restricted inlet 244 therein leading to an annular groove 245 having a larger cross sectional area than inlet 244 for receiving a complementary shaped portion of the bottom closure member. As seen best in FIG. 8, an annular gasket 246 is disposed in groove 245 against the inner end wall thereof for a purpose to be described.

A bottom closure member 251 is shown fragmentarily in FIG. 7 and comprises a recessed end wall 252 and a peripheral flange or rim 253 tapering outwardly away from end wall 252 and terminating in an enlarged, annular projection or bead 254 of generally rectangular shape in cross section adapted to be snap fitted into groove 245 for mechanical interlocking engagement therewith in pressure sealing relation with gasket 246 to provide a fluid tight seal between container body 24 and closure member 251, as shown in FIG. 9. Container body 240 and closure member 251 are formed of a synthetic plastic material which is sufficiently rigid to serve as a container but resiliently yieldable so that bead 254 can be forcibly inserted through inlet 244 into groove 245 to cause bead 254 to snap into assembled relation in groove 245. In this assembled relation, bead 254 exerts a force against gasket 246 to insure pressure sealing between closure member 251 and container body 240. While the apparatus of this invention has thus far been described as charging container C through the bottom open end thereof, it should be understood that the bottom closure member can be integral with container body 240 and the top closure member can be a separate member in which case the product and the propellant will be introduced into the container through the top end prior to assembling the top closure member to container body 240.

While it will be evident that the various control and directional valves described above can be operated manually to perform the propellant filling and closure member sealing operations, the apparatus of this invention includes an electrical control system for automatically actuating the valves in proper sequence to carry the apparatus through a complete cycle each time a container is presented to the apparatus. The sequence of operations is controlled by cam operated switches LS1-LS4, only one of which is shown in FIG. 1.

The means for actuating switches 'LSl-LS4 comprises variable speed electric motor 35 (FIG. 1) for rotating an output shaft 260 through a suitable gear reduction mechanism 261 including clutch 209 (FIG. 11) adapted to rotate through one revolution to effect a complete cycle of apparatus 20. A sprocket 262 is rigidly secured to shaft 260 for driving an endless drive chain 263, also trained about a sprocket 265. Sprocket 265 is rigidly secured to cam shaft 36, the latter being provided with a plurality of cams adjustably mounted thereon. While only one cam 267 is shown in FIG. 1, it should be appreciated that the number of cams employed correspond to the number of switches LS 1-LS4 incorporated in the electric control circuit. Each switch includes an explosion proof housing 268 having a reciprocable cam follower 269 projecting axially therefrom and provided with a roller 270 engagable with the cam for actuating the associated switch at the proper time. These cams are adjustable on shaft 36 to permit variations of the start and/or stop points or of the duration of the switch functions for any operation of the cycle.

The electrical system, illustrated diagrammatically in FIG. 12, will be described in terms of its function in conjunction with the sequence or timing chart shown in FIG. 10, which illustrates the various operations of apparatus 20 through one complete cycle of clutch 209 and cam shaft 36 from through 360. As shown in FIG. 12, operating current is supplied from a suitable source (not shown) through a power line comprising conductors 272 and 273. A circuit breaker switch S is included in the power line along with a main power switch MS for introducing current supply into the electrical system or interrupting current supply when apparatus 20 is idle. A drive motor switch MS in conductor lead 274 is closed to complete an energizing circuit for relay MSl, in turn closing normally open contacts MSl in conductor lead 275 for completing a circuit energizing drive motor 35. With switches MS and MS closed, switches 276 and 277 set for automatic operation, and with cam shaft 36 at 0 (FIG. 10) or the start of the operative cycle of apparatus 20, normally open contacts CR1 in leads 278 and 279 are in the closed position and normally closed contacts CR1 in lead 281 are held open due to the energization of control relay CR1 via line 273, switch LS1 which is closed at the 0 start of the cycle, lead 282 and line 272. With contacts CR1 in lead 278 closed, solenoid SOL No. 5 is maintained energized causing valve 27 to be in a position connecting holder cylinder 56 to high air pressure via conduit 184, valve 27, conduits 180, 178 and main line pressure sup ply conduit 175.

Also, time delay switch TDl is held closed by energization of time delay relay T,D via line 273, switch LS1, leads 282, 283 and line 272. With switch TDl closed, contacts CR4 in lead 285 are held closed by energization of relay CR4 via line 273, switch LS1, lead 282, switch TD 1, lead 284 and line 27 2. Solenoid SOL No. 4 is accordingly held energized, causing valve 32 to be in a position directing air pressure into chamber 86 beneath piston (FIG. 11) via passage 92, port 91, conduit 219, valve 32 and main line pressure supply conduit 175. Thus, piston 85 in chamber 86 of housing 67 is in its uppermost position so that theannular face 173 of tool 43 projects downwardly below seal 108. Apparatus 20 is now conditioned for operation through one complete cycle.

In operation, the operator places an inverted container C, filled with the concentrate to be dispensed, in holder 26 with bottom closure member 251 loosely seated on container C. The operator then depresses the cycle start button 287 to close spring loaded, normally open switch 288 in lead 289. Normally open contacts CR2 in leads 279, 290 and 291 are closed by energization of control relay CR2 via line 273, switch 288, lead 289 and line 272. Since contacts CR1 in lead 279 had been previously closed, a holding circuit is completed for control relay CR2 through line 273, closed contacts CR1 and CR2 in lead 279, lead 289 and line 27 2, allowing the spring biased starting switch 288 to be returned to the open position. Solenoid SOL No. 6 is energized via line 273, contacts CR2 in line 291, and line 272. Energization of solenoid SOL No. 6 maintains directional valve 31 in a position connecting chamber below piston 94 to main line pressure supply conduit via passage 105, port 104, conduit 214 (FIG. 11), valve 31 and conduit 211. The air pressure in chamber 95 is effective to maintain adaptor 96 downwardly relative to piston 94 to its lowermost posi- -tion whereby cap 112 rests on the upper surface of piston 94. Solenoid SOL No. 7 is energized via line 273, contacts CR2, lead 290 and line 272 to shift valve 30 (FIG. 1 l) to a position connecting cylinder 205 to main line pressure supply conduit 175 via conduit 200, valve 30 and conduit 203. Piston 204 is moved within cylinder 205 against the bias of spring 206 to retract rod 207 out of engagement with stop 209, thereby allowing clutch 209 to engage with the drive train and rotate cam shaft 36 through one revolution initiating the start of the 360 cycle of operation.

At 2 rotation of cam shaft 36, switch LS4 in lead 293 is closed by its associated cam to energize solenoids SOL No. l and SOL No. 2. Energization of solenoid SOL No. 1 shifts directional valve 33 to connect conduit 225 (FIG. 11) to the vacuum source via valve 33 and conduits 222 and 221. Air is drawn from the atmosphere through and around the lower end portion 172 of tool 43 via passage 226, 227, chamber 228, passages 229, 101, 100, 103 and port 102 through conduit 225. Energization of solenoid SOL No. 2 is effective to shift directional valve 28 (FIG. 11) to a position directing air pressure to the upper side of the piston in cylinder 78 via conduits 175, 188, valve 28 and conduit 191 to retract bar 73 and lower the entire head assembly 41 to its lowermost position (FIG. 14) whereby centering bell 113 engages container C to center the same, the seal 1 16 engages the bottom end of container C around the opening therein (FIG. 15) forcing container C downwardly against the upwardly directed resilient force imposed on holder 26 by the fluid pressure in cylinder 56. Holder 26 is caused to move slightly downwardly, on the order of /16 of an inch for example. Sealing pressure is provided between seal 116 and container C by the upwardly directed force exerted by cylinder 56.

The vacuum force present in passage 226 of tool end portion 172 lifts closure member 251 upwardly away from the container opening allowing the vacuum force in passage 229 around tool end portion 172 to evacuate the air present in container C, as shown in FIG. 15. The vacuum force is applied through most of the cycle, and, as shown in FIG. 10, is effective from 2-340 rotation of cam shaft 36.

At 50 rotation of cam shaft 36, switch LS1 is cammed open by its associated cam on shaft 35, deenergizing control relay CR1, time delay relay TD and control relay CR4, thereby opening contacts CR1 in leads 278 and 279 and contacts CR4 in lead 285 to deenergize solenoids SOL No. 4 and SOL No. 5. The opening of contacts CR1 in lead 279 deenergizes control relay CR2 to open contacts CR2 in leads 290 and 291 whereby solenoids $01 No. 7 and SOL No. 6 are deenergized. Contacts CR1 in lead 281 are returned to their normally closed position.

Deenergization of solenoid SOL No. 7 causes directional valve 30 to be shifted by spring 202 to a position exhausting cylinder 205 via conduit 203 and through an exhaust port in valve 30. Piston rod 207 is then extended by the force of spring 206 into the path of travel of stop 208 to prevent rotation of clutch 209 beyond 360.

Deenergization of solenoid SOL No. 4 causes spring loaded directional valve 32 to be shifted by spring 217 to a position connecting main line pressure supply conduit 175 to conduit 218 directing air pressure to the upper side of piston 85 in chamber 86 via conduit 218, port 89 and passage 90. Downward movement of piston 85 moves piston 94 and stem 98 downwardly relative to too] 43 disposing seal 108 below tool end face 173, as shown in FIG. 4.

Deenergization of solenoid SOL No. 6 causes directional valve 31 to be returned by spring 213 to a position connecting conduit 214 to vacuum line 221. Evacuation of chamber 95 beneath piston 94 via passage 105, port 104 and conduit 214, together with the upwardly directed force acting on the centering bell 113 by the air pressure in cylinder 56 and transmittedthrough container C, lifts adaptor 96 upwardly relative to piston 94 to the position shown in FIGS. 4 and 16. Holder 26 is raised slightly, approximately one-fourth of an inch for example, carrying container C upwardly therewith. As shown in FIG. 17, closure member 251 engages the tapered lip 109 of seal 108 in readiness for the propellant filling operation.

Deenergization of solenoid SOL N0. 5 causes spring biased directional valve 27 to be returned to a position connecting cylinder 56 to air under low pressure in conduit 184 being dissipated through regulator 183. This low pressure imposes a minimum of back pressure against which the propellant must act when injected 1 under pressure into container C.

At rotation of camshaft 36, switch LS3 is cammed closed by its associated cam, closing normally open contacts CR3 in leads 294 and 295 by the energization of control relay CR3, via line 273, switch 277, switch LS3, lead 296, control relay CR3 and line 272. Solenoid SOL No. 3 is energized via line 273, closed contacts CR3, lead 294 and line 272 to shift directional valve 29 to a position connecting the upper end of charging cylinder 44 to main line pressure supply conduit 175 via conduit 194, valve 29 and conduit 195. Air under pressure is admitted through passage 157 in rod 154 and piston 155 into chamber 156 against the upper side of piston 159. Piston 159 moves downwardly carrying with it displacement ram 160 to displace the propellant present in chamber 161 though port 168 and conduit 235. Propellant under pressure is continually supplied to chamber 161 via line 231, valve 232, conduit 233, check valve 234 and conduit 235. Upon displacement of ram 160, the pressure of the propellant is greatly intensified and is reflected in conduit 236 leading to injection valve means 120. Check valve 234 prevents backflow of this intensified high pressure propellant into conduit 233.

As pressure of the propellant builds up in chamber 127 against the larger effective area of the conical face of valve 124 and overcomes the combined force of the pressure acting on the smaller effective areas of stem 125 and surface 137 of valve 124 and spring 130, the pressure differential pops valve 124 open away from seat 131 to admit propellant under high pressure into opening 138 and passages 139 and 140, (FIG. 4). The high pressure propellant moves adaptor 96 and container body 240 slightly downwardly against the bias pressure acting upwardly on holder 26 by the piston in cylinder 56. Closure member 251 remains elevated away from the container opening by means of the com bined vacuum force present in passage 226 of tool end portion 172 and by means of the propellant pressure acting upwardly against the inner surface of closure member end wall 252. Thus, a clearance is provided between container body 240 and closure member 251 (FIG. 18) to admit the propellant into container body 240.

At the completion of the downstroke of displacement ram 160, the high pressure of the propellant is reduced in conduit 236 and when the decreasing propellant pressure acting on the larger effective area of the face of valve .124 can no longer overcome the propellant pressure acting on the combined smaller effective areas of stem 125 and surface 137 of valve 124 together with the force of spring 130, valve 124 is moved against its associated seat 131 to interrupt flow of propellant through valve means 120. Simultaneously, the greater upwardly directed force exerted by the piston in cylinder 56 moves container body 240 and adaptor 96 upwardly causing container body 240 to be pressed against closure member 251 and trapping a small amount or propellant in passages 140 and 139 and opening 138. During rotation of cam shaft 35 from 80 through 140 of its cycle, closure member 251 remains seated on container body 240 allowing the turbulence of the concentrate-propellant mixture to subside and become stabilized.

At 140 rotation of cam shaft 36, switch LS2 is cammed closed by its associated cam to energize solenoid SOL No. 6 via line 273, lead 281, switch LS2, normally closed contacts CR1 and line 272. Energization of solenoid SOL No. 6 shifts valve 31 disconnecting vacuum conduit 221 (FIG. 11) from conduit 214 and connecting the latter to main line pressure supply conduit 175. Pressure admitted into chamber 95 below piston 94 via conduit 214, port 104 and passage 105 moves adaptor 96 downwardly relative to piston 94. Adaptor 96 carries container body 240 downwardly against the low pressure bias acting upwardly on container body 240 by means of fluid pressure cylinder 56. Container body 240 moves away from closure member 251, which is held upwardly against tool face 173 by the combined vacuum forcepresent in passage 226 and the vapor pressure acting against the inner surface of closure member end wall 252. With the separation of closure member 251 from container body 240, the residual propellant trapped in the passages between poppet valve 124 and previously seated closure member 251 flows into container body 240 by gravity due to the equalization of pressures of such residual propellant and the vapor pressure in container body 240. This provides a simple and efficient expedient for salvaging practically all of the residual propellant and charging the container with substantially all of the propellant metered by charging cylinder 44.

At 215 rotation of cam shaft 36, switch LS1 is allowed to close, energizing control relayCRl and time delay relay T,D. With control relay CR1 energized, normally open contacts CR1 in lead 278 are closed to energize solenoid SOL No. via line 273, closed contacts CR1, lead 278 and line 272. Energization of solenoid SOL No. 5 shifts directional valve 27 (FIG. 11) to a position disconnecting low air pressure to conduit 184 and connecting the latter to high air pressure via main line pressure supply conduit 175, conduits 182, 180 and valve 27. Thus, the piston in cylinder 56 is again subjected to high air pressure, set to impart the proper force during the subsequent closure applying operation.

Simultaneously, normally closed contacts CR1 in lead 281 are opened by the energization of control relay CR1 to deenergize solenoid SOL No. 6 enabling directional valve 31 to be shifted by spring 213 to a position disconnecting main line pressure supply conduit 175 from conduit 214 and connecting the latter to vacuum line 221. Evacuation of chamber 95 beneath piston 94 via passage 105, port 104 and conduit 214, together with the upwardly directed force acting on holder 26 by means of the fluid pressure in cylinder 56, lifts container body 240 upwardly toward closure member 251 and raises adaptor 96 relative to piston 94.

Energization of time delay relay T,D closes switch TDl after a short delay on the order of 0.2 sec. for example, to energize control relay CR4 via line 273, switch LS1, lead 282, switch TDl, lead 284 and line 272. This time delay enables closure member 251 to locate properly in relation to container C in readiness for the closure applying operation. Energization of control relay CR4 closes normally open contacts CR4 in lead 285 to energize solenoid SOL No. 4 which shifts directional valve 32 to a position connecting main line pressure supply conduit 175 to conduit 219 and exhausting air pressure from conduit 218. Air pressure acting against the bottom of piston in chamber 86 via conduit 219, port 91 and passage 92 raises piston 85 and consequently member 84 and adaptor 96 relative to tool 43. Seals 108 and 116 are disengaged from closure member 251 and container body 240, respectively, as shown in FIG. 20. Simultaneously, container body 240 is forced upwardly relative to the closure member 251 by means of the high pressure in cylinder 56 acting against holder 26 and is pressed against closure member 251, the latter being held against upward movement by the face 173 of tool 43, which serves as an anvil. The resiliency of the material of which bead 254 is formed will cause it to yield under the upwardly directed force and be forced through inlet 244 and then into groove 245 with a snap fit into the assembled relation shown in FIGS. 9 and 20 to mechanically interlock closure member 251 to container body 240. In this assembled position, bead 254 compresses gasket 246 to insure a fluid tight seal between the closure member 251 and container body 240.

At 340 rotation of cam shaft 35, switch LS4 is allowed to open, deenergizing solenoids SOL N0. 1, SOL No. 2 and SOL No. 3. Deenergization of solenoid SOL No. 2 shifts directional valve 28 to a position for connecting main line pressure supply conduit to conduit 192 and evacuating conduit 191. Conduit 192 directs air pressure to the underside of the piston 78, lifting the entire propellant filling and closure applying assembly 41 upwardly, allowing the sealed container C to beremoved from holder 26. Deenergization of solenoid SOL No. 1 shifts directional valve 33 to a position disconnecting conduit 225 from conduits 222 and 221 and the vacuum source. Deenergization of solenoid SOL No. 3 shifts directional valve 29 to connect conduit 196 to main line pressure and conduit 195 to exhaust. Air pressure directed against the bottom of piston 159 via conduit 196, port 167 and passage 166, raises piston 159 and displacement ram 160 to prime charging cylinder 44 for the next cycle of operation. Apparatus 20 is now conditioned for another cycle of operation and cam shaft 36 completes its one revolution in preparation for the next cycle.

In broadly summarizing the operation of charging and closing containers C by means of the apparatus of this invention, the following steps are employed:

A container C is filled with the material to be dispensed through an open end thereof in the usual way by conventional filling machines which insert a measured amount of concentrate into the containers. After filling to a desired level, closure members are loosely introduced into the open end of the container and the closure member is loosely reseated on the container to prevent the escape of the turbulent concentratepropellant mixture. After a predetermined time in which the turbulence generated by the concentratepropellant mixture is allowed to subside and become stabilized, the closure member is temporarily displaced away from the container to permit residual propellant trapped between the container and the propellant injecting means to flow by gravity into the container, thus salvaging virtually all of the propellant metered by charging cylinder 44. Then, the closure member and container body are urged or pressed axially relative toward each other to insert the closure member bead into the container groove for interlocking relation therewith to secure the closure member to the container body. Pressure scaling is provided between the closure member and the container body by means of a gasket disposed in the groove end adapted to be compressed by the closure member bead in the assembled relation.

As previously mentioned, the container can be charged with the product and the propellant through the top open end thereof by the same apparatus and in the same manner herein described in connection with the charging of a container through the bottom open end. As shown in FIG. 21, a container C is shown in an upright position with the closed bottom end thereof disposed in a cavity provided in member 58 of the workholder. Container C is located below adaptor 96 with a top closure member 311 loosely seated on container C in readiness for the charging operation.

FIG. 22 illustrates an aerosol container C adapted to be charged through the top end thereof with a liquid propellant and then sealed closed by the apparatus of this invention. Container C comprises a tubular or hollow body 312 having a concave bottom end wall or closure member 313 formed integral with body 312 or otherwise fixedly secured thereto. The wall of body 312 becomes progressively thicker adjacent its upper end and is provided with a top face 314 having an annular restricted inlet 316 therein leading to an annular groove 318 of a generally rectangular configuration in cross section and having a larger cross sectional area than inlet 316 for receiving a complementary shaped portion of the top closure member 311. An annular gasket 320 is disposed in groove 318 against the inner end wall thereof.

Top closure member 31 1 comprises an end wall 322 and an annular flange or rim 324 tapering outwardly away from end wall 322 and terminating in an enlarged, annular formation or bead 326 of generally rectangular shape in cross section adapted to be snap fitted into groove 318 for interlocking engagement therewith in pressure sealing relation with gasket 320 to provide a fluid tight relation between container body 312 and closure member 311. Top closure member 311 is provided with a preassembled valve assembly 330 operatively connected to the usual dip tube 332 for the purpose of dispensing the pressurized contents of the filled container. Container body 312 and top closure member 311 are formed of a synthetic plastic material which is sufficiently rigid to serve as a container but resiliently yieldable to enable bead 326 to be forcibly inserted through inlet 316 into groove 318 causing bead 326 to snap into an assembled relation in groove 318 against gasket 320. Bead 326 is snap fitted into groove 318 after the container body 312 has been charged in the same manner previously described in connection with bottom end filling. The apparatus used to charge container body 312 and apply top closure member 311 thereto is identical to the apparatus employed for charging container body 240 through the open bottom end thereof and applying the bottom closure member thereto except that the ram tool 43 is provided with a larger inside diameter adjacent face 173 to accommo' date valve assembly 330, as shown in FIG. 22.

The apparatus of this invention can be used to charge containers of varying sizes and configurations having differently shaped closure members sealed thereto. By way of example, FIG. 23 illustrates a container C having a hollow, tubular body 336 terminating at its open end in an annular end formation 338 of generally rectangular shape in cross section connected to the wall of container body 336 by. a reduced neck portion 340.

The top closure member for container body 336 is generally designated 342 and is provided with a preassembled valve assembly 344 for dispensing the pressurized contents of the filled container. Top closure member 342 is provided with a peripheral rim 346 having an annular inlet 348 leading to an annular groove 350 of generally rectangular shape in cross section to receive formation 338 of container body 336 when assembling the two components together by means of the apparatus of this invention. As in the embodiments previously described, a gasket 352 is disposed in groove 348 for providing a fluid tight seal between container body 336 and top closure member 342. Thus, the groove may be formed in either the closure member or the container body with the other component provided with a complementary shaped formation or bead for snap fitted engagement therewith to provide a mechanical lock therebetween. Also, while the bead and groove arrangements in the illustrative embodiments are of a generally rectangular shape in cross section, it should be understood that these beads and grooves may take any cross sectional configuration so long as theyare complementary to each other.

While the illustrative embodiment described herein and shown in the drawings is a single station apparatus, it should be understood that the propellant filling and closure sealing apparatus of this invention can be incorporated in a programmed multi-station machine employing a concentrate filling head and conveyor means for advancing concentrate-filled aerosol containers to the propellant filling and closure sealing apparatus of this invention. A plurality of holders 26 and head assemblies 41, vertically aligned with the holders, can be mounted on rotatable turrets whereby the above de scribed operations can take place during synchronized rotation of the turrets between the infeed and outfeed of container C.

From the foregoing, it is apparent that the objects of the present invention have been fully accomplished. As a result of this invention, an apparatus and method are provided for filling an aerosol container with propellant and sealing a closure member to the container open end in an improved and more efficient manner. By filling the container through the unrestricted open end thereof and mechanically interlocking the closure member to the container bottom with a snap fit, the filling and sealing operations are expeditiously carried out in a minimum of time thereby facilitating mass production charging of aerosol containers. A preferred embodiment of this invention having been disclosed in detail, it is to be understood that this has been done by way of illustration only.

We claim:

1. An apparatus for pressurizing and sealing a container having a closed end and an open end closed by a closure member loosely seated on said open end comprising: means sealing said open end of said container from the ambient atmosphere, means for evacuating air from said container, means for directing a propellant under pressure against said container for displacing the latter away from said closure member and introducing said propellant beneath said closure member into said container through said open end, means reseating said closure member on said open end, and pressure means axially forcing said container and closure member toward each other for mechanically interlocking said closure member to said container open end.

2. An apparatus according to claim 1 including means for temporarily displacing said closure member from said container open end prior to securing said closure member to said open end to enable trapped propellant to flow by gravity into said container.

3. An apparatus according to claim 1 including an adaptor, said sealing means mounted on said adaptor and defining an outlet, said displacing means comprising vacuum means including a source of vacuum and passage means in said adaptor establishing communication between said source of vacuum and said outlet.

4. An apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said propellant introducingmeans comprises a source of propellant under pressure, propellant passage means in said adaptor leading to said outlet, valve means connected to said adaptor for controlling communication between said source of propellant and said propellant passage means, charging means interposed between said source of propellant and said valve means for metering the volume of propellant admitted through said valve means under an intensified pressure.

5. An apparatus according to claim 3 including means for holding said container in alignment with said outlet, and means for biasing said container holding means toward said outlet.

6. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said sealing means comprises a first and second seal disposed in an axially spaced apart relation engagable with said open end of said container and said closure member, respectively.

7. An apparatus for pressurizing and sealing a container having a closed end and an open end closed by a closure member loosely seated on said open end comprising: means sealing said open end of said container from the ambient atmosphere, means forrelatively displacing said closure member away from said container open end and evacuating air from said container, means for introducing a propellant under pressure beneath said closure member into said container through said open end, means reseating said closure member on said open end, and means for mechanically interlocking said closure member to said container open end, said interlocking means comprising a tool terminating in an end face engagable with said closure member adjacent said sealing means, a holder supporting said container, and pressure means urging said holder and tool toward each other to effect a mechanical interlock between said container and said closure member.

8. An apparatus for pressurizing and sealing a container having an open end defined by an annular end surface provided with annular closure attaching means and closed by a closure member having a peripheral rim provided with container attaching means initially seated on said end surface in overlying relation to said closure attaching means comprising: means sealing said open end of said container from the ambient atmosphere, means for evacuating air from said container, means for displacing said container relative to said closure member, means for introducing a propellant under pressure into said container through said open end, means reseating said closure member on said open end whereby said container attaching means of said closure member engages said container annular surface, and means for urging said closure member and said container relatively toward each other to interlock said attaching means of said closure member and said container, respectively, with a snap fit.

9. An apparatus for pressurizing and sealing a container having an open end defined by an annular end surface provided with annular closure attaching means and closed by a closure member having a peripheral rim provided with container attaching means initially 5 seated on said end surface in overlying relation to said closure attaching means comprising: means sealing said open end of said container from the ambient atmosphere, means for relatively displacing said closure member away from said container open end and evacuating air from said container, means for introducing a propellant under pressure into said container through said open end, means reseating said closure member on said open end whereby said container attaching means of said closure member engages said container annular end surface, and means for urging said closure member and said container relatively toward each other to interlock said attaching means of said closure member and said container, respectively, with a snap fit, said urging means including a tool terminating an end face engagable with said closure member adjacent said sealing means, a holder supporting said container, and pressure means moving said holder and tool axially relative toward each other.

10. An apparatus according to claim 9, including an adaptor encircling said tool, said sealing means mounted on said adaptor, and means reciprocating said adaptor relative to said tool disposing said sealing means below and above said tool end face.

11. An apparatus according to claim 10 wherein said sealing means defines an outlet, and said displacing means comprises vacuum means including a source of vacuum and passage means in said adaptor establishing communication between said source ofvacuum and said outlet. v

12. An apparatus for pressurizing and sealing a container having an open end defined by an annular end surface provided with annular closure attaching means and closed by a closure member having a peripheral rim provided with container attaching means initially seated on said end surface in overlying relation to said closure attaching means comprising: means sealing said open end of said container from the ambient atmosphere, means for relatively displacing said closure member away from said container open end and evacuating air from said container, means for introducing a propellant under pressure into said container through said open end, means reseating said closure member on said open end whereby said container attaching means of said closure member engages said container annular surface, means for urging said closure member and said container relatively toward each other to interlock said attaching means of said closure member and said container, respectively, with a snap fit, and means for temporarily displacing said closure member away from said container open end prior to mechanically interlocking said closure member to said container to enable trapped propellant to flow by gravity into said container.

13. An apparatus according to claim 11 wherein said tool is spaced radially from said adaptor defining an annular passage therebetween establishing communication between said outlet and said passage means to evacuate said container, an axial passage in said tool communicating with said outlet, and at least one passage in said tool establishing communication between said axial passage and said annular passage to displace .said closure member against said tool end face under the influence of vacuum.

14. An apparatus according to claim 8 wherein said open end is the top end of said container and said closure member is provided with a preassembled valve assembly mounted thereon.

15. An apparatus according to claim 9, wherein said open end is the top end of said container and said closure member is provided with a preassembled valve assembly mounted thereon.

16. A method for charging and sealing an aerosol container having an open end defined by an annular end surface provided with closure attaching means and closed by a closure member having a peripheral rim 20 provided with container attaching means initially seated on said end surface in overlying relation to said closure attaching means comprising: evacuating said container, displacing said container away from said closure member, introducing a propellant under pressure into said container through said open end, returning said container open end into engagement with said closure member, and forcing said closure member and said container relatively toward each other to mechanically interlock said closure member attaching means to said container attaching means with a snap fit.

17. A method according to claim 16 including temporarily displacing said closure member from said open end of said container prior to securing said closure member to said container to enable residual propellant to flow by gravity into said container.

18. A method according to claim 16 wherein said open end of said container is at the bottom end thereof including initially inverting said container prior to filling.

19. A method according to claim 16 wherein said mechanical interlocking is effected by urging said closure member and said container relatively toward each other to cause said closure attaching means and said container attaching means to snap into an assembled relation. v

20. A method according to claim 16 wherein said closure attaching means comprises an annular groove and said container attaching means comprises an annular projection formed of a resiliently yieldable material adapted to be inserted in said groove with a snap tit. 

1. An apparatus for pressurizing and sealing a container having a closed end and an open end closed by a closure member loosely seated on said open end comprising: means sealing said open end of said container from the ambient atmosphere, means for evacuating air from said container, means for directing a propellant under pressure against said container for displacing the latter away from said closure member and introducing said propellant beneath said closure member into said container through said open end, means reseating said closure member on said open end, and pressure means axially forcing said container and closure member toward each other for mechanically interlocking said closure member to said container open end.
 2. An apparatus according to claim 1 including means for temporarily displacing said closure member from said container open end prior to securing said closure member to said open end to enable trapped propellant to flow by gravity into said container.
 3. An apparatus according to claim 1 including an adaptor, said sealing means mounted on said adaptor and defining an outlet, said displacing means comprising vacuum means including a source of vacuum and passage means in said adaptor establishing communication between said source of vacuum and said outlet.
 4. An apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said propellant introducing means comprises a source of propellant under pressure, propellant passage means in said adaptor leading to said outlet, valve means connected to said adaptor for controlling communication between said source of propellant and said propellant passage means, charging means interposed between said source of propellant and said valve means for metering the volume of propellant admitted through said valve means under an intensified pressure.
 5. An apparatus according to claim 3 including means for holding said container in alignment with said outlet, and means for biasing said container holding means toward said outlet.
 6. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said sealing means comprises a first and second seal disposed in an axially spaced apart relation engagable with said open end of said container and said closure member, respectively.
 7. An apparatus for pressurizing and sealing a container having a closed end and an open end closed by a closure member loosely seated on said open end comprising: means sealing said open end of said container from the ambient atmosphere, means for relatively displacing said closure member away from said container open end and evacuating air from said container, means for introducing a propellant under pressure beneath said closure member into said container through said open end, means reseating said closure member on said open end, and means for mechanically interlocking said closure member to said container open end, said interlocking means comprising a tool terminating in an end face engagable with said closure member adjacent said sealing means, a holder supporting said container, and pressure means urging said holder and tool toward each other to effect a mechanical interlock between said container and said closure member.
 8. An apparatus for pressurizing and sealing a container having an open end defined by an annular end surface provided with annular closure attaching means and closed by a closure member having a peripheral rim provided with container attaching means initially seated on said end surface in overlying relation to said closure attaching means comprising: means sealing said open end of said container from the ambient atmosphere, means for evacuating air from said Container, means for displacing said container relative to said closure member, means for introducing a propellant under pressure into said container through said open end, means reseating said closure member on said open end whereby said container attaching means of said closure member engages said container annular surface, and means for urging said closure member and said container relatively toward each other to interlock said attaching means of said closure member and said container, respectively, with a snap fit.
 9. An apparatus for pressurizing and sealing a container having an open end defined by an annular end surface provided with annular closure attaching means and closed by a closure member having a peripheral rim provided with container attaching means initially seated on said end surface in overlying relation to said closure attaching means comprising: means sealing said open end of said container from the ambient atmosphere, means for relatively displacing said closure member away from said container open end and evacuating air from said container, means for introducing a propellant under pressure into said container through said open end, means reseating said closure member on said open end whereby said container attaching means of said closure member engages said container annular end surface, and means for urging said closure member and said container relatively toward each other to interlock said attaching means of said closure member and said container, respectively, with a snap fit, said urging means including a tool terminating in an end face engagable with said closure member adjacent said sealing means, a holder supporting said container, and pressure means moving said holder and tool axially relative toward each other.
 10. An apparatus according to claim 9, including an adaptor encircling said tool, said sealing means mounted on said adaptor, and means reciprocating said adaptor relative to said tool disposing said sealing means below and above said tool end face.
 11. An apparatus according to claim 10 wherein said sealing means defines an outlet, and said displacing means comprises vacuum means including a source of vacuum and passage means in said adaptor establishing communication between said source of vacuum and said outlet.
 12. An apparatus for pressurizing and sealing a container having an open end defined by an annular end surface provided with annular closure attaching means and closed by a closure member having a peripheral rim provided with container attaching means initially seated on said end surface in overlying relation to said closure attaching means comprising: means sealing said open end of said container from the ambient atmosphere, means for relatively displacing said closure member away from said container open end and evacuating air from said container, means for introducing a propellant under pressure into said container through said open end, means reseating said closure member on said open end whereby said container attaching means of said closure member engages said container annular surface, means for urging said closure member and said container relatively toward each other to interlock said attaching means of said closure member and said container, respectively, with a snap fit, and means for temporarily displacing said closure member away from said container open end prior to mechanically interlocking said closure member to said container to enable trapped propellant to flow by gravity into said container.
 13. An apparatus according to claim 11 wherein said tool is spaced radially from said adaptor defining an annular passage therebetween establishing communication between said outlet and said passage means to evacuate said container, an axial passage in said tool communicating with said outlet, and at least one passage in said tool establishing communication between said axial passage and said annular passage to displace said closure member against said tool end face under the influence of vacuum.
 14. An apparatus according to claim 8 wherein said open end is the top end of said container and said closure member is provided with a preassembled valve assembly mounted thereon.
 15. An apparatus according to claim 9, wherein said open end is the top end of said container and said closure member is provided with a preassembled valve assembly mounted thereon.
 16. A method for charging and sealing an aerosol container having an open end defined by an annular end surface provided with closure attaching means and closed by a closure member having a peripheral rim provided with container attaching means initially seated on said end surface in overlying relation to said closure attaching means comprising: evacuating said container, displacing said container away from said closure member, introducing a propellant under pressure into said container through said open end, returning said container open end into engagement with said closure member, and forcing said closure member and said container relatively toward each other to mechanically interlock said closure member attaching means to said container attaching means with a snap fit.
 17. A method according to claim 16 including temporarily displacing said closure member from said open end of said container prior to securing said closure member to said container to enable residual propellant to flow by gravity into said container.
 18. A method according to claim 16 wherein said open end of said container is at the bottom end thereof including initially inverting said container prior to filling.
 19. A method according to claim 16 wherein said mechanical interlocking is effected by urging said closure member and said container relatively toward each other to cause said closure attaching means and said container attaching means to snap into an assembled relation.
 20. A method according to claim 16 wherein said closure attaching means comprises an annular groove and said container attaching means comprises an annular projection formed of a resiliently yieldable material adapted to be inserted in said groove with a snap fit. 